U.S. stocks opened little changed on Thursday as initial jobless claims fell slightly more than expected and retailers reported a drop in March sales, although results were not as bleak as anticipated.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 11.51 points, or 0.09 percent, at 12,415.24. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 0.87 points, or 0.07 percent, at 1,334.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 0.43 points, or 0.02 percent, at 2,800.25.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by Kenneth Barry)